Saturday, 9 July 2011

July - Potager Update

Here's a quick update on how my garden grows.......................
This morning in between rain showers I spent some quiet time hoeing, weeding and generally tidying up the potager.

Dwarf runner bean"Hestia"
The seeds were a gift from Gay

Getting my hands in the dirt is my idea of fun, no gardening gloves for me, which is why I recently joined Sharon Lovejoy's Grimy Hands Girls Club.
Thanks to Pondside for pointing me in that direction.

Dwarf Haricot beans

Lynn @ Happier Than A Pig in Mud recently shared her recipe for Pickled String Beans, in a week or so I think these guys will be ready to be picked and pickled!

I think that this is my favourite time of the year, when all the hard work starts to pay off.

It is one of my life's joys, each evening, to carefully step between the rows and pick mesclun leaves for the salad bowl or a small handful of yellow and green dwarf haricot beans to go with a simple steak and frites.

Courgettes; round, green or yellow, (zucchini) get a quick egg wash and breadcrumb coating, before frying gently in butter, they go well with steak too.
Or I could make zucchini bread.
I came across a great recipe on Becky's blog " Not Your Ordinary Agent" earlier this week.

As well as cauliflower and cabbages I planted Chinese leaf a type of crunchy oriental cabbage, for the first time this year.

It has a very mild flavour and can be eaten raw in salads, steamed to serve as a side vegetable, or added to a vegetable stir fry for a quick and easy supper dish.

Beautiful bounty! Your mosaics and images are wonderful, Maggie. I've been scrolling down to visit the recent posts that I've missed. Been without my computer for a bit. Strange feeling! ;-)Getting plans together for the fall. So excited!!!~ Sarah

Wonderful shots of a very nice potager! Love the Spanish bean flowers! Used to have them too, but last year forgot to pick up the seeds! Grrrhhh!Thanks for sharing. And thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment;o)¤ Happy day ¤

Hello, What a lovely garden you have. I just discovered your blog and so happy that I did. My husband and I love the Normandy countryside but have not been there during summer...just spring and fall. I will enjoy visiting yor blog often.

How wonderful to be harvesting from your potager already. We're eating lettuce, and I did pick one zucchini, but that's about it. I'm wondering if any tomatoes will ripen this summer. As Pondside said, we're still waiting for some real summer warmth.

This is a wonderful post! My husband and I watch the Tour de France every summer, and we really enjoyed seeing the Normandy region this year. I've always wanted to travel there. My in-laws have been to France many times, and they have brought me some very pretty linens.

Hi Maggi!thanks for the wonderful comment!I quickly re-visited your more recent posts..ahhh! what delights! hope to see mre of you!! I know I shall be returning..love your photographs!!!warmest hugs..Loui♥

Wow! Delicious farm fresh veggies you have growing in your kitchen garden. Ours is lying quite neglected as of now because of the rains. Grow cabbages, cauliflowers, ladyfingers, tomatoes, brinjals n...more.

Your garden if growing beautifully. My mom used to use the oriental cabbage in salads when I was young. I loved it with a nice tangy dressing. And now that i'm thinking about it, I should add that to my shopping list.

About Me

Home is a 16th/18th century former Presbytery situated in a tiny village, surrounded by beautiful Normandy countryside.
I share it with my lovely husband and best friend of over 37 years, and M'selle Fleur our gorgeous German Shepherd.